Over 50 PR agencies and in-house PR departments came together to witness the first PR Pressure conference, which took place on Wednesday, 25 May 2016, at the Dusit Thani, Dubai. The event, organised by Secret PR, marks the first of an annual series of conferences that address the struggles faced by PR professionals in the Middle East. Leading up to the next conference, Secret PR will be taking proactive steps towards providing pragmatic solutions for the issues raised at the event.
One of the highlights from the conference was a series of open discussions surrounding opinions on the media and the PR industry. Inspired by a popular hashtag, #UAEPR, the event offered an open and professional approach to the shortcomings of both industries in order to encourage better practice amongst journalists and PR professionals. These sessions were headed by speakers from PR agencies and media, including Nick Rego, Senior Editor at tbreak.com, Sudeshna Ghosh, a consulting editor and freelance writer, Shereen Shabnam, Consultant Head of PR for octOpus and MTE Studios, and Louay Al-Sammarai, Joint Managing Director and Co-Founder of Active (Digital. Marketing. Communications).
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7852351-pr-pressure-conference/
Yesterday, Guinness World Records announced that the bottle of Gautier 1762 was the oldest cognac sold at a public auction. This 250-year-old drink was purchased in 2014 by Wealth Solutions, a Polish company specialized in rare spirits and collectibles, at an auction of old and rare beverages organized by Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers in NYC. It remained part of the company’s collection of old liquors until October 2015, when the management board made the decision to create a watch with a drop of this antique spirit, and opened the bottle. The uncorking ceremony was organized in Bristol Hotel in Warsaw and formed part of an event to mark the start of cooperation between Wealth Solutions and Armin Strom, a Swiss Watch Manufacturer.
Thanks to this cooperation, the Cognac Watch was made – the first Swiss mechanical watch with a drop of alcohol. The timepiece and the capsule for this unique beverage were designed by Claude Greisler, Armin Strom’s chief horologist. This independent Swiss manufacturer also accepted the mission to produce this unusual watch. The exclusive limited edition for Wealth Solutions consisted of just 40 timepieces produced in stainless steel, 18k rose gold and titanium cases. All of them were sold by Wealth Solutions in an exclusive presale before the official launch of the product. The international premiere of the Cognac Watch took place on 20th March 2016, during the Baselworld show. Yesterday, at the Polish premiere in Warsaw, Wealth Solutions announced the decision of Guinness World Records.
Having met with huge success, Wealth Solutions has decided to continue production of the Spirit Watches line. The next limited edition will be the Rum Watch – a Swiss timepiece with a drop of Harewood rum from 1780. International subscription for this unique watch opened on 26th April on the website: http://en.wealth.pl/promotion/spirit-watches
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7817651-cognac-gautier-1762-guinness-world-records/
As Americans gather at bars and in living rooms to watch the hugely popular college basketball tournament– often with a drink in hand– the Ad Council is launching a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) for their ongoing “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” campaign. Impaired driving remains a persistent problem in the U.S., with over 10,000 people killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2016, according to the Department of Transportation. That’s approximately one person every fifty minutes.
The new PSAs, which were produced pro bono by media agency OMD, encourage young men to examine their own behavior by amplifying social warning signs many already know and associate with impairment. Whether texting too many emojis or taking one too many selfies, these subtle “warning signs” are recognizable to the target audience and serve as cues not to drive home.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8288151-ad-council-buzzed-driving-warning-signs/
In December 2012, we posted an OnSafety blog, warning of furniture, television and appliance-related tip-over incidents. At that time, CPSC reported nearly 350 deaths, most involving young children. Since then, more than 80 people have died when a dresser, TV, bookcase, table, appliance or other large item tipped over and fell on them. A new report from our staff indicates that 430 tragic deaths occurred between 2000 and 2013, and an estimated 38,000 annual injuries, many of which were serious, from 2011 through 2013.
In most of the incidents, a child was crushed by the product or struck on the head by the product. What is remarkable is the number of families who have turned tragedy into advocacy. Jackie Collas, a Philadelphia-area resident, is using social media to honor her son, Curren, and encourage parents to anchor their furniture. Lisa Seifert of Chicago created Shane’s Foundation to honor her precious son and to increase awareness, education and safety.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7085251-cpsc-reports-430-tip-over-deaths-anchor-it-and-protect-a-child/
Most Americans appear hopeful and optimistic about aging according to a new, national study from Parker, one of America’s leading aging services organizations that this year celebrates its 110th anniversary. Key findings from Parker’s “Aging in America Survey”—which examines the nation’s changing attitudes and opinions around growing older in the U.S.—include:
• A vast majority of Americans (71%) do not fear or worry about aging very much or at all.
• More than half of those surveyed (62%) believe that 80 is not too old to serve in government, run a marathon, be CEO of a Fortune 500 company, teach a class, or practice yoga.
• Those surveyed were evenly split (49% each) in describing the experience of growing older in America today with positive words (e.g., “hopeful,” “relevant,” “vibrant”) vs. negative words (e.g., “scary,” “depressing,” “lonely”).
• Nearly two-thirds (59%) of Americans feel that not enough technology innovation focuses on the lifestyles of older people.
• While 38% of Americans feel the most positive thing about getting older is gaining more experience and wisdom, only 1% believes it is acquiring greater wealth and material goods.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8100251-parker-aging-in-america-survey-anniversary/
Lithium Technologies today announced the winners of the fifth annual Lithium Digital Customer Excellence Awards, affectionately known as the Lithys. This year’s awards set a new record for submissions with 66 entries from 17 countries across four continents and representing 47 brands. The 2015 Lithys also had a big impact on Lithium’s own community, generating more than 21,000 page views and 9,000 visits—and adding 4,000 community members during the voting period. Winners were determined by community votes, outside judges Nate Elliott from Forrester Research and Jim Storer of The Community Roundtable, and Lithium executives.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7522751-lithy-2015-winners/
This month, haircare and skincare brand Carol’s Daughter introduces the #BornandMade campaign, a new movement that encourages every girl to be who they were truly born and made to be. It celebrates the brand’s authentic story “Born in Brooklyn. Made With Love” as it honors the diverse community of strong women who have been a part of our family for more than 22 years. Now all women will have a powerful platform to showcase their individuality while inspiring others to be who they are—when there are so many voices telling them who they’re “supposed” to be.
“It’s important for girls to understand and recognize their power and the right way to use it. It’s imperative to remind them of who they are, and what they are…in the world. If I can help with that, then I’m getting up for a good reason every day,” said Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s Daughter.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7599051-carol-s-daughter-bornandmade-campaign/
On Wednesday, April 6, Viva® Brand teamed up with Hollywood actress and home/ DIY expert, Monica Potter, to host a dramatic clean-up benefitting Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Ventura. The event, held at Avenue Thrift & Vintage Store in Ventura, CA, demonstrated how Viva® Towels can transform used, forgotten items with just a thorough cleaning. Donated household items ranging from kitchen appliances to outdoor patio furniture were expertly cleaned with the unique textures of Viva® Towels and then donated to 22 deserving families across the Ventura community. The effort jumpstarts a national push to “Unleash Clean” across the country.
Potter served as the Captain of the Viva® Clean Squad, motivating over 40 volunteers to “Unleash Clean” by scrubbing, polishing and shining up donated items from the kitchen, bathroom, living room and patio, showcasing the strength and durability of the towels. Viva® offers a choice of two types of everyday towels that work like cloth to stand up to any cleaning job in your home. Viva® Vantage® has a scrubby texture, great for shining stainless steel appliances and scrubbing grime off stovetops or patio furniture, while Viva® Towels have a signature soft and smooth texture for cleaning surfaces like countertops and coffee tables. To ensure a green event and minimize waste, Viva® Towels partnered with the City of Ventura to use natural household and eco-friendly cleaners so the towels could be composted afterwards.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7767151-viva-unleash-clean-for-boys-girls-club/
Farmers Insurance® announced today that 15 teachers across the country were named finalists as part of the company’s Thank America’s Teachers® Dream Big Teacher Challenge®, awarding teachers for their ideas to help create a lasting and positive impact on their classrooms, schools, and communities.
Honey Bunches of Oats is launching a new 360-degree marketing campaign to encourage fans to rethink the classic cereal, which has two varieties – Honey Roasted and Almond – among the top 10 favorite cereals in America. The new “THIS. IS. EVERYTHING.™” campaign celebrates the multiplicity of the product, from the crispy flakes to the crunchy granola oat clusters and the sweet touch of honey, while emphasizing a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats is greater than the sum of its parts. Multiple touchpoints are being utilized to bring the fully integrated campaign to life in order to engage consumers in person, online, offline and on multiple screens. Across all marketing levers, the work interweaves memes from social media and pop culture references to tell the brand story and allow consumers to play with and make the content their own.
The campaign kicks off with new commercial spots hitting airwaves in August. Two versions of the commercial were created specifically to engage both General and Hispanic audiences. The English-language spots mash-up iconic images with current pop culture memes to relay the timelessness and multi-sensorial experience of the cereal. The Spanish-language spots maintain the style and tone of these ads, but use images centered on cultural nostalgia and family. The ads will air across A+E Networks, Disney, NBCUniversal, Scripps Network Interactive, Turner, Viacom, and Univision Network, amongst others, in both :15 and :30 spots.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7906751-honey-bunches-of-oats/
Settlements have been reached in class action lawsuits involving the Huronia Regional Centre (“Huronia”), Rideau Regional Centre (“Rideau”), and Southwestern Regional Centre (“Southwestern”) which were residential facilities operated by the Province of Ontario (the “Province”) that provided care and support to persons with developmental disabilities from 1876 to 2009.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7161751-koskie-minsky-huronia-rideau-southwestern-class-action-settlements
Nearly three in four American voters (74 percent) favor increasing federal funding for cancer research, according to the results of a new national survey conducted on behalf of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). The survey results were released today in conjunction with the AACR’s fifth annual Cancer Progress Report. The report highlights how federally funded research can power progress against cancer and urges Congress and the administration to implement a strategy for providing annual budget increases of at least 7 percent for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in fiscal year 2016 and thereafter.
The national survey, which was conducted by Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies, shows that five out of every six voters recognize what the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2015 details: that progress is being made against cancer.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7613551-aacr-cancer-research-survey/
